Hi everyone. I didn't see a direct how-to on this, so I thought I'd make one. Also, feel free to share your custom ones.
Arial screensaver / wallpaper file Info:
Use videos files, must be MOV format (you can rename most MP4s to MOV. If it doesn't work, use Quicktime or Handbrake to re-encode the file), ideally looping, 4K and HDR supported, but not needed.
Sound is not needed (probably not used at all), so stripping the sound out will save file space.
I've seen the thumbnails as small as 214×130 pixels, and as big as 1920x1080. Not sure it really matters. I just make a quick screenshot of the video and use that.
Placement and naming:
I'm doing this by replacing one of the already downloaded arial videos and thumbnail. However, I'm sure there's a way to modify the info files, so macOS knows the file is there, and I'm sure someone could write a simple script to do all of moving of the files and info entries, but I've already sucked at scripting, and my way is fast and easy enough.
PS: you need admin permissions to do all of this.
Video (MOV) goes here:
/Library/Application Support/com.apple.idleassetsd/Customer/4KSDR240FPS
Thumbnail (JPEG) goes here:
/Library/Application Support/com.apple.idleassetsd/snapshots
Update:
I'm finding that both the wallpaper and screensaver stop working after some time, and display as gray (what macOS uses when a wallpaper or screensaver is set, but missing). Toggling the option to "Show as Screensaver" off and back on fixes it for awhile. Not sure if there's a way we can fix this, or if it's a coincidental Sonoma bug (this version of macOS has been a crapshoot for me on the stability side of things,. I'm running it on 4 computers, and all 4 have various issues. I had to run the 14.2 beta just to use external drives on my Mac Studio. I wish Apple would focus on quality and stability, instead of feeding us new glittery versions every year!).
I have my halloween themed files attached, inspired by the upcoming Spooky Fast media event.
Arial screensaver / wallpaper file Info:
Use videos files, must be MOV format (you can rename most MP4s to MOV. If it doesn't work, use Quicktime or Handbrake to re-encode the file), ideally looping, 4K and HDR supported, but not needed.
Sound is not needed (probably not used at all), so stripping the sound out will save file space.
I've seen the thumbnails as small as 214×130 pixels, and as big as 1920x1080. Not sure it really matters. I just make a quick screenshot of the video and use that.
Placement and naming:
I'm doing this by replacing one of the already downloaded arial videos and thumbnail. However, I'm sure there's a way to modify the info files, so macOS knows the file is there, and I'm sure someone could write a simple script to do all of moving of the files and info entries, but I've already sucked at scripting, and my way is fast and easy enough.
PS: you need admin permissions to do all of this.
Video (MOV) goes here:
/Library/Application Support/com.apple.idleassetsd/Customer/4KSDR240FPS
Thumbnail (JPEG) goes here:
/Library/Application Support/com.apple.idleassetsd/snapshots
Update:
I'm finding that both the wallpaper and screensaver stop working after some time, and display as gray (what macOS uses when a wallpaper or screensaver is set, but missing). Toggling the option to "Show as Screensaver" off and back on fixes it for awhile. Not sure if there's a way we can fix this, or if it's a coincidental Sonoma bug (this version of macOS has been a crapshoot for me on the stability side of things,. I'm running it on 4 computers, and all 4 have various issues. I had to run the 14.2 beta just to use external drives on my Mac Studio. I wish Apple would focus on quality and stability, instead of feeding us new glittery versions every year!).
I have my halloween themed files attached, inspired by the upcoming Spooky Fast media event.
Attachments
Last edited:
